Steam boiler



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' STEAM BOILER l Filed Jan. 25, 1934 2 SheetSf-Sheet l l Wwf W. J, BARBER STEAM BOILER Filed Jan. 25, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE town, Mass.

Application January 25, 1934, Serial No. 708,210

10 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to boilers, and has particular reference to a boiler of the so-called porcupine type.

Among the features and advantages of my present improved construction are an ability to generate steam more quickly and in drier condition, an absence of conditions which leads to the formation of heat-resistant scale, a substantial reduction in heat losses in the stack, and an arrangement which eiiciently provides for the simultaneous automatic heating of a supply of water.

In general, it is a general object of my invention to provide a new and improved type of boiler which is economical to manufacture, install, and operate; which has a high eiciency; and which embodies numerous other advantages rendering it admirably qualified for use in stationary plants, houses, steam shovels, marine installations, etc.

A boiler of the present type is characterized, in part, by the provision of a water-containing chamber which comprisesY a substantially cylindrical core in combination with a multiplicity of hoilow quills projecting radially from the core, each quill communicating at its inner e'nd with the interior of the core. In accordance with my present invention, this type of construction is caused to provide an unusually large heating surface, efliciently distributed throughout @substantially great vertical height, in combination with an arrangement which assures long life and uniform efficiency without any danger of corrosion, scaling, etc. One of the features of my' invention lies in providing for a water level of unusually small surface area, coupled with a means for directing combustion gases into direct proximity with the quills at the water level', My invention provides also for the constant automatic maintenance of the water levelv at a predetermined height, and for the guidance of the combustion gases downwardly around the chamber through the spaces between the quills', thereby providing a uniformly efficient counter-now effect between the water and steam on the one hand, and the combustion gases on the other.

One of the main features of my invention lies inV the means for introducing the combustion gases into a suitable enclosure surrounding the water chamber along a substantially horizontal direction which is tangential with respect tothe n core which contains the water, this introduction of gases being eifected at the' water' level, `and the tangential movement of the gases resulting in a downward spiraling of the gases around the GOEE.

Another feature of my invention lies in constructing and arranging the quills in a predetermined proportional size with respect to the core, and in a manner which tilts the inner upper sui'- face of each quill at just the correct downward 5 angle to permit the water (and'also whatever steam may be generated) to pass freely from each quill into the core.

A further feature of my invention lies in a unique and advantageous construction of staybolt disposed axially within the core of the water chamber and lconstructed in a hollow manner which enables the staybolt to serve as a water heater.

Perhaps one of the outstanding characteristics of' my present construction lies in the fact that I aim to reduce the amount of circulation of the water. Ordinary boiler constructions unfoimly seem to aim for and require what is generally referred to as good circulation; but I have found sthat my present construction operates' best under. the conditions which I have provided, namely, with a minimum of circulatory movement of the water. It is this feature, coupled with the downward travel of gases, and the avoidance of formation of scale, which, in my opinion, lies at the basis of the ecient action which I have found to result from my present type of arrangement.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, Yin the manner illustratively exemplied in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a general exterior elevational View of the main elements of a boiler constructed in accordance with my present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional longitudinal view 40 taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Figure 2';

Figure 4 isa fragmentary cross-section, on an enlarged scale, through one of the' quills, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2; 45

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating a modication;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure d, illustrating a further modification;

Figure 7 isa view similar to Figure 2, illustrati-ng a modied construction in which two Water chambers are employed in conjunction with asingle burner Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional View 55 taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figurev 3; and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure l, showing in greater detail the arrangement whereby the water level is maintained constant.

In a sense, the accompanying figures are diagrammatic in so far as they omit such structural details oi assembly as are not material to a full understanding of my present invention; and while I have not in every respect illustrated the connecting bolts, studs, iianges, etc. which enter into the construction and installation of the present boiler, these details will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring to Figures l, 2, and 3, and especiall to Figure 3, the water chamber of the present boiler comprises an elongated, cylindrical, vertical core or drum lil of suitable heat-conductive material, such as iron. This core or drurn is provided with bottom and top walls H and l2, and the construction is reinforced by a centrally disposed, vertical staybolt i3 welded into association with the bottom and top walls, as at i4 and l5. The core is adapted to contain a body of water I6 up to approximately the level indicated at il in Figure 3.

Associated with the core are a multiplicity of hollow quills or quill-like tubes which pro-ject radially from the core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of the core and having its outer end closed or sealed, as by rotary swaging or hot forging. The provision of these quills is along the entire outer surface of the core, from approximately one inch below the water level il down to the bottom ci the core. In the construction illustrated, the core is approximately five or six feet in length, and about one and one-half feet in diameter, and approximately one thousand quills are associated therewith.

In Figure 4, I have illustrated one manner or constructing and mounting the quills of the present invention, it being understood that Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a single quill, and that the remaining quills are substantially the same in nature, each one projecting in a substantially radial manner from the core le, as shown most clearly in Figure 8. The quill iii of Figure 4 is substantially cylindrical, its outer end l being closed, as hereinbefore mentioned, and its inner end being mounted in liquid-tight manner in association with the core I, as by means of the threads 2li. Each quill may, for example, be constructed from a length or" standard one-inch black iron pipe.

In accordance with my invention, each quill is of a length no greater than a critical and predetermined multiple of the diameter of the quill. More particularly, the length of each quill should be no greater than about six times the diameter of the quill; and in the illustrated embodiment I have shown, by way of example, a quill which is approximately six inches in length and about one inch in diameter. Furthermore, it is an important feature of my invention to mount and construct each quill in a manner which slopes the inner upper surface 2l downwardly away from the core le. This pitch is indicated at 22 in Figure 4, and should be no more than approximately one-half inch per foot.

The water chamber, consisting of the core lil and the multiplicity of quills, is mounted in a substantially snug manner within an enclosure or housing 23 which may be of ordinary brick near the bottom and which is preferably of refractory brick or similar material nearer the top. This enclosure is substantially cylindrical, and is provided at the bottom with the outlet flue 24 which leads to a chimney or stack.

Surrounding the uppermost body of quills I8, 5

the enclosure 23 is provided with the voluteshaped enlargement 25 which is shown most clearly in Figure 2 and which is associated in any suitable or desired manner with the inlet nozzle 25 of a burner 2. The burner has not been 1o shown in detail, since it forms, by itself, no material part of the present invention, but it will be understood that the burner may be of any suitable or desired character, such as the gun type which is customarily used in oil-burning l5 furnaces of the household variety.

The upper wall of the volute enlargement 25 is purposely arranged with its under-surface substantially in alignment with the Water level I1, and a heat insulating packing 5i is caused to 20 surround the upper portion of the core lli, immediately above the enlargement 25, so that the combustion gases are constrained to the area surrounding the water I5, and are prevented from dissipating themselves upwardly around the 25 space in which steam is formed.

The core I is provided with an inlet 2i! at the bottom thereof to provide not only for the return of condensed steam, but also for the introduction of feed water. The latter may be sup- 4 plied from a pipe 52 which connects with a suitable source of feed water, this pipe having a riser portion 53 at least as high as the level I1 and containing a valve 55 whose operation will be presently described. 35

The staybolt i3 is constructed in a hollow manner, and its lower end communicates with an inlet 29, a corresponding outlet 3i) communieating with the staybolt at a point just below the water level il. At approximately the water 4o level, and preferably a little bit above the latter,

a partition 3l is welded or secured into position within the staybolt, whereby the submersed portion oi the staybolt serves as a container for water Which is to be heated and used as hot 45 water. Above the water level il, the staybolt I3 has its walls perforated, as at 32; and its upper end is connected, as at 33, to a conduit 34 which serves to deliver the generated steam to the desired places. 50

The maintenance of the water level at the predetermined height, in substantial alignment with the upper wall of the chamber 25, and approximately one inch above the top quills, may be provided for in a variety or" ways, and I have 55 illustratively shown in Figure 9 one manner of satisfactorily accomplishing this object. A pipe 5e connects with the steam conduit 34 and communicates with two riser portions 56 and 5l which extend downwardly into communication 60 with the lower portion of the pipe 52. In the riser portion 5l I provide a chamber 58 at the water level, within which a oat device 59 is mounted. rlhis device is connected, as at 6l), with the valve 561i and controls the operation of the valve. The details of the valve are not shown, but they will be understood by those skilled in the art, the valve 5f?, being caused to open whenever the float 5S) falls, vand being caused to close whenever the iloat 5S is in the position of Fig-70 ure 9. In the position shown, the level of the water in the riser 5l is exactly at the level desired to be maintained at i1 in the core i.

In the riser 56 I provide an outlet 6l communieating with the chamber 62 and the drain 63. 75

Within the chamber 62 is an expansible device 64 which controls the seating and raising of a valve which normally seals the drain 63. The device 64 has not been shown in detail, but will be understood by those skilled in the art, since it is a device well knownl by itself. It usually contains an expansible fluid which is adapted to contract under the temperature of water and expand under the temperature of steam. Accordingly, if the water level I1 rises unduly, the water entering the chamber 62 causes the device 64 to contract, thereby raising the valve 65 and letting the excess water escape into the drain 6-3; and when the water level I1 is at its normal and desired height, steam enters the chamber 62, thereby expanding the device 64 and sealing the drain 63.

The devices in the risers 56 and 51 may be combined into a single device, if desired, it being understood that the functions herein described and illustrated are quite simple and readily adapted to modication by those conversant with the art. The valve 54 and its float device serve to admit water to the core whenever the water level Il fallsv below the desired height; while the device in the riser 56 automatically permits the water to escape when the level I1 rises abo-ve the desired height.

In operation, the burning fuel emanating in a jet from the nozzle 26 is directed along a substantially horizontal direction into the large end of the volute chamber 25, whereby the combustion gases are directed tangentially against the water chamber at approximately the level of the water within the chamber. The gases are directed around the chamber by means of the volute enlargement 25, and are thus started on a downwardly spiraling path which surrounds the water chamber and which causes the gases to pass downwardly and spirally through the spaces between the quills i8. The gases of combustion, cooled by their contact with the water chamber, emanate from the outlet flue 24 and travel thence into the stack. The increased heating surface, provided by the quills, and the distribution of this heating surface over the relatively great vertical height, produces a highly efiicient operation whereby the maximum amount of heat is transferred from the gases to the water. In fact, the gases leave the flue 24 at substantially the temperature of the return or feed water entering the water chamber at 28.

By virtue of the fact that the gases of cornbustion are directed against the water chamber at approximately the water level, a maximum heat transfer takes place at the water level, whereby steam is generated with relatively great rapidity, the steam being of special dryness because of the absence of any requirement compelling it to pass upwardly through the body of water. The steam forming in the upper portion of the core l5 passes through the openings 32 into the upper portion of the staybolt I3 and thence into the steam outlet 34.

Preferably, the quills disposed in the largest portion of the volute chamber 25 are of slightly reduced lengths, as indicated at 35. These are the quills which are most nearly in the direct path of incoming gases of combustion, and the reduction in length is preferably provided for to minimize the danger of overheating these quills.

The critical construction and arrangement of the quills,` as described hereinbefore in connection with Figure 4, will now be more fully understood. If the quills are too long, with respect to their diameter, the free passage of water into the water chamber will be impaired; whereas, if they are too short, the desired increase of heatthe upper inner surface 2l is tilted in the manner indicated, any steam that is formed within the quills will not so readily find its way' into the core and thence up into the steam chamber. The 10 amount of tilting is important for the reason that an excessive angularity impairs the freedom with which the water flows into and out of the quills, and may also result in the collection of undesirable sediment in the closed end of each quill. .15

A modified construction of quill is illustrated in Figure 5. The quill 36 is in this case substantially conical, with the apex toward the outer end of the quill. This provides an upper inner surface 3l inclined at substantially the same pitch 20 as in Figure 4, and provides in addition a downwardly sloping bottom surface 38 which facilitates the outflow of any solid particles of. sediment that may tend to form in the quill. The quill of Figure 5 may be readily constructed by 2'5 the same forging operation which seals the end, the pipe being slightly drawn out to provide the desired taper.

In Figure 6, I have illustrated a modification in which a U-shaped, hollow quill 39 is employed, the 30 two legs of the quill being rolled into association with the core 40,. as indicated at 4|. In this construction, an added space 42 is provided for the passage of combustion gases, thereby increasing the surface area that is exposed to these gases. Z315 The inner upper surface 43 is again inclined as in Figures 4 and 5, and the bottom inner surface 44 is preferably inclined downwardly to prevent the accumulation of sediment.

Where quills of the type ofv Figures 4 and 5 are employed, they may be arranged in any conven- 40 ient or desired association and proximity. Preferably, they are arranged in horizontal rows, the quills of each row being staggered with respect to the quills of the next adjacent row. Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to arrange the quills along a spiral path, thereby further facilitating the downward spiraling of the combustion gases through the spaces between the quills. "50

In Figure '7, I have illustrated a modified boiler in which two water chambers l5 and 46 are employed. Each ofk these chambers is substantially similar to the chamber illustrated 1n Figure 3, and each is surrounded by an enclosure substantially like that of Figure 3, except that the twoenclosures merge with one another to form a single enclosure. The enlargement corresponding to the volute enlargement 25 of Figure 3 is indicated by the reference numeral 41, and is in this case the result of a merger of two individual volute chambers, one directing the gases tangentially against one of the water chambers, the other directing the gases in a similar manner against the other water chamber. A single burner 48 may be employed in this duplex arrangement, as indicated in Figure '7. Naturally, the steam outlets are preferably united to form a single outlet for the resultant steam that is generated; the lower ends of the boilers are also connected; and a similar connection may be established between the hot water heaters that are provided by the two hollow staybolts 49 and 5B. A single outlet flue at the bottom of the housing or enclosure is sufcient for'the. combustion gases.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure 9 with respect to the maintenance ofthe water level at the desired height is also preferably associated with the duplex construction of Figure 7, for a similar purpose.

One of the outstanding desirable characteristics of the present construction lies in the fact that there are no extensive heating surfaces positioned over the combustion gases. Accordingly, there is no opportunity for any deposited sediment to be baked into the hard and undesirable boiler scale which usually decreases the efficiency of the ordinary boiler with great rapidity and ultimately causes heating surfaces to burn out completely. In the present construction, any small particles of solid matter iind their Way ultimately to the bottom of the core l0; and since this bottom is relatively cool, they form no more than a muddy sediment or sludge which is easily blown out whenever necessary. Since there is no flame beneath the bottom of the core, no formation of boiler scale takes place.

An outstanding feature of the present construction lies in the provision of the relatively small water-line area, constantly maintained at just the right height. The core being relatively elongated, the exposed surface of the water is not very extensive in area, and as a result there is not only less vaporization when the boiler is idle, but a greatly increased response between the generation of steam and any thermostatic control that may be employed for operating the burner itself.

The present boiler is particularly advantageous for harbor tugs, steam shovels, or similar uses, where the installation involves a cold feed and a non-condensing system. Ordinarily, boilers in such use must have the res banked regularly to avoid loss of time in warming up after a period of idleness. The present boiler obviates this requirement, thereby saving fuel, because of the rapid manner in which steam can be generated once the burner is set into operation. Experiments have shown that steam can be generated within one minute by means of the present boiler with an entirely cold start. The present type of boiler is also believed to be of particular advantage and economy in connection with the use of natural gas as a heating medium.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a boiler of the character described, a chamber for the water to be boiled, comprising a vertical, elongated, cylindrical core, and a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of said core and having its upper surface inclined downwardly away from said core; means for maintaining the Water level at a height just above the uppermost row of quills, and means for surrounding only the water-containing portion of the chamber at, but no higher than, the water level with combustion gases and directing them downwardly through the spaces between said quills.

2. In a boiler of the character described, a

chamber for the water to be boiled, comprising a vertical, elongated, cylindrical core, and a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at itsinner end with the interior of said core and having its upper surface inclined downwardly away from said core; and means for directing combustion gases along a downwardly spiraling path through the spaces between said quills.

3. In a boiler of the character described, a chamber for the water to be boiled, comprising a vertical, elongated, cylindrical core, and a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of said c-ore and having its 1 upper surface inclined downwardly away from said core; means for maintaining the water level at a height just above the uppermost row of quills, and means for surrounding the chamber with combustion gases and directing them downwardly through the spaces between said quills; said means comprising a snug enclosure for said chamber, an outlet nue communicating with the bottom of said enclosure, and means for directing the combustion gases into the upper portion of said 2 said core; and means for directing combustion 35 gases along a downwar-dly spiraling path through the spaces between said quills; said means comprising a snug enclosure for the lower portion of said chamber, said enclosure having a volute enlargement surrounding the upper portion of said chamber at the water level, an outlet flue communicating with the bottom of said enclosure, and means for directing the combustion gases into said enlargement along a substantially horizontal path tangential to said chamber.

5. In a boiler of the character described, a chamber for the water to be boiled, comprising a vertical, elongated, cylin-drical core, and a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of said core and having its upper surface inclined downwardly away from said core; means for maintaining the water level at a height just above the upperm-ost row of quills, an enclosure for said chamber, an outlet flue communicating with the bottom of said enclosure, and means for directing combustion gases into the upper portion of said enclosure at the water level and along a path tangential to said chamber, whereby the gases will surround the chamber and pass downwardly through the spaces between said quills.

6. In a boiler of the character described, a chamber for the water to be boiled, comprising a vertical. elongated, cylindrical core, and a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of said core andhaving its upper surface inclined downwardly away from said core; means for passing combustion gases through the spaces between said quills; and a vertical, hollow, cylindrical staybolt extending axially through said core, said staybolt having a partition at the level of the water in said core and having perforated walls above said partition, whereby the lower portion of the staybolt serves as a Water 7 heater and the upper portion serves as an outlet conduit for the generated steam.

'7. In a boiler of the character described, a chamber for the water to be boiled, comprising a vertical, elongated, cylindrical core, and a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of said Core and having its upper surface inclined downwardly away from said core; an enclosure for said chamber and having an enlargement at substantially the level of the water in said chamber, and means for introducing combustion gases into said enlargement along a direction tangential to said core, the quills in the direct path of the entering gases being shorter in length than the remaining quills.

8. In a boiler of the character described, a chamber for the water to be boiled, comprising a vertical, elongated, cylindrical core, and a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of said core and having its upper surface inclined downwardly away from said core; and means for directing c-ombustion gases tangentially against the quills at the water level, and for thereupon directing said gases downwardly along a spiral path through the spaces between said quills.

9. In a boiler of the character described, a. vertical, elongated, cylindrical core adapted to contain the water to be boiled, a multiplicity of hollow quills projecting radially from said core, each quill communicating at its inner end with the interior of said core, means for passing combustion gases through the spaces between said quills, a Vertical, cylindrical, hot water compartment concentrically arranged within said core, a steam outlet communicating with the upper portion of the core, and a hot water outlet communieating with the upper portion of said compartment.

10. In a steam boiler, a vertical drum for the Water to be boiled, with quill-like tubes projecting from it, means for maintaining the water level at a height just above the uppermost row of tubes, and means for surrounding only the water-containing portion of the drum at, but no higher than, said water level, with combustion gases and directing them downwardly through the spaces between said tubes.

WILLIAM JAMES BARBER. 

